Lodi Puts Forth Bid To Host The Amgen Tour

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John Storey / AP

Lodi is hoping to enhance its image worldwide by becoming one of the host cities for the Amgen Tour of California next year. The city council voted its support and the business community is leading the way.

The Amgen Tour brings the best cyclists in the world for an eight-day race running the length of California.

It also brings crowds of consumers and a host of television cameras that broadcast the event in 200 countries.

Lodi City Manager Steve Schwabauer says the exposure would showcase Lodi and the surrounding wine country.

"I think it's certainly got more potential to advertise the community than putting an ad in the back of Sunset Magazine."

The city council voted to donate about $25,000 in police overtime as a host city.

Schwabauer says the business community is raising $125,000 to pay for the expenses involved.

"They're already halfway there and they haven't even submitted the bid. I think the wine tourism industry will back the bid," says Schwabauer.

Lodi is expected to submit its bid as a host city of the Amgen Tour before the end of the month.

As the Central Valley correspondent, Rich Ibarra covers San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced counties, along with the foothill areas including Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. He covers politics, the economy and issues affecting the region. Read Full Bio